Topic: Leicester City AKA The Plutocrats

[Elzar]

Not sure what was worse, them leaving Van Dijk without a proper marker every game just a guy stood watching him from near the goal)or the amount of players that went down injured and shot back up when a foul was given.

[gazzalfc]

The downfall of James Maddison as a player to pantomime villain is of great amusement to me.

[El Lobo]

The downfall of James Maddison as a player to pantomime villain is of great amusement to me.

Comfortably their best player this season though.

Fucking awful yesterday they were. I mean they were in the first game, an absolute crime we let them get away with anything let alone a win. Justin I thought was decent last night but the likes of Ndidi, Barnes, Iheanacho, Tielemans, Soyuncu etc have fallen off a cliff this season. And as a club they're legendary for downing tools, and they have with Rodgers. I'd be shocked if he's in charge at the end of the season.

[Charlie Adams fried egg]

Comfortably their best player this season though.

Fucking awful yesterday they were. I mean they were in the first game, an absolute crime we let them get away with anything let alone a win. Justin I thought was decent last night but the likes of Ndidi, Barnes, Iheanacho, Tielemans, Soyuncu etc have fallen off a cliff this season. And as a club they're legendary for downing tools, and they have with Rodgers. I'd be shocked if he's in charge at the end of the season.

There was a couple of things from his interview last night. One was his general demeanor, there was a look of resignation about him almost oh shit, this has happened before.

Then there was the comments about the central defence and how they'd have to seek solutions in the summer. First he didn't sound overly confident that he'd be there, but Rodgers used to say that coaching a defence was the easy bit and the rest more difficult?

I just get the impression it's not an area of strength for him and so he avoids it and hopes he can sign someone to delegate the responsibility to.

[Elzar]

There was a couple of things from his interview last night. One was his general demeanor, there was a look of resignation about him almost oh shit, this has happened before.

Then there was the comments about the central defence and how they'd have to seek solutions in the summer. First he didn't sound overly confident that he'd be there, but Rodgers used to say that coaching a defence was the easy bit and the rest more difficult?

I just get the impression it's not an area of strength for him and so he avoids it and hopes he can sign someone to delegate the responsibility to.

Soyuncu was on the bench last night, Evans is not going to be up to it when he returns and needs replacing anyway. Fofana might take a while to come back in. They basically need 3 new defenders and for at least 2 to settle very quickly.

[El Lobo]

He definitely doesn't help himself, and 100% we've seen this before.

Ndidi and Amartey in defence with Soyuncu and Vestergaard on the bench. Thats a classic Rodgers 'you bought me this, I don't like it' trick.

[JackWard33]

They're going to finish in a position much more in line with their wage bill than previous years
Champions league football on a mid table budget just isn't a thing
Sort of wish they'd made it one of the last two years even though I can't stand them as a club, just to prove it was possible to buck the tyranny of finance in the league

[Crosby Nick]

Soyuncu was on the bench last night, Evans is not going to be up to it when he returns and needs replacing anyway. Fofana might take a while to come back in. They basically need 3 new defenders and for at least 2 to settle very quickly.

He can feel aggrieved about Fofana. Really promising and then on the end of a shocking tackle in a pre season game. That’s obviously hurt them but is hardly the sole reason for them looking a soft touch at the moment.

[Drinks Sangria]

He definitely doesn't help himself, and 100% we've seen this before.

Ndidi and Amartey in defence with Soyuncu and Vestergaard on the bench. Thats a classic Rodgers 'you bought me this, I don't like it' trick.

As poor as Soyuncu has been, it's definitely an odd choice not to play natural centre halves and stick two midfielders in there - didn't pay much attention to us last season then did he?

Having a scan of Leicester forums, the fans have turned on him. Open discussion about who they want to replace him and a fair few seemingly convinced he's going to Utd in the Summer. They're very unhappy because apparently he keeps talking about Leicester 'needing a rebuild' which is somewhat odd given they've let him spend £60m on Strikers, they've retained Ndidi and Barnes, have Maddison who is talented (but not actually that good), and have spent heavily on full backs. Where's the rebuild needed other than defensive reinforcement? That's not a rebuild and Leicester fans seem to agree.

I think it has come to the point where the discussion is valid, albeit he has done a good job there overall. It's just when you look at the last calendar year, the FA Cup win is massive in making the time look a success, because their league form's been dreadful.

One another note, anyone else think Dewsbury-Hall has played very well against us in both games this season?

[rob1966]

They're going to finish in a position much more in line with their wage bill than previous years
Champions league football on a mid table budget just isn't a thing
Sort of wish they'd made it one of the last two years even though I can't stand them as a club, just to prove it was possible to buck the tyranny of finance in the league

I'd prefer that didn't happen, otherwise it adds to the sportswashers that they're not where they are because of having unlimited funds, they just built the right squad and anyone can do it.

[Charlie Adams fried egg]

As poor as Soyuncu has been, it's definitely an odd choice not to play natural centre halves and stick two midfielders in there - didn't pay much attention to us last season then did he?

Having a scan of Leicester forums, the fans have turned on him. Open discussion about who they want to replace him and a fair few seemingly convinced he's going to Utd in the Summer. They're very unhappy because apparently he keeps talking about Leicester 'needing a rebuild' which is somewhat odd given they've let him spend £60m on Strikers, they've retained Ndidi and Barnes, have Maddison who is talented (but not actually that good), and have spent heavily on full backs. Where's the rebuild needed other than defensive reinforcement? That's not a rebuild and Leicester fans seem to agree.

I think it has come to the point where the discussion is valid, albeit he has done a good job there overall. It's just when you look at the last calendar year, the FA Cup win is massive in making the time look a success, because their league form's been dreadful.

One another note, anyone else think Dewsbury-Hall has played very well against us in both games this season?

I agree, although it could be his name that stands out. My wife was working on her computer last night so just listening not watching and she though Dewsbury Hall was a stately home near Huddersfield.

[El Lobo]

As poor as Soyuncu has been, it's definitely an odd choice not to play natural centre halves and stick two midfielders in there - didn't pay much attention to us last season then did he?

Having a scan of Leicester forums, the fans have turned on him. Open discussion about who they want to replace him and a fair few seemingly convinced he's going to Utd in the Summer. They're very unhappy because apparently he keeps talking about Leicester 'needing a rebuild' which is somewhat odd given they've let him spend £60m on Strikers, they've retained Ndidi and Barnes, have Maddison who is talented (but not actually that good), and have spent heavily on full backs. Where's the rebuild needed other than defensive reinforcement? That's not a rebuild and Leicester fans seem to agree.

I think it has come to the point where the discussion is valid, albeit he has done a good job there overall. It's just when you look at the last calendar year, the FA Cup win is massive in making the time look a success, because their league form's been dreadful.

One another note, anyone else think Dewsbury-Hall has played very well against us in both games this season?

I'm not sure really. Schmeichel, Evans, Albrighton and Vardy are all 32+ so likely to need replacing very soon (should have been already). There's probably an acceptance that one or two will go, Tielemans being the obvious one. Considering how important those players are to how they play I can see why he'd call it a rebuild....but its not a smart thing to keep saying.

Its got massive echoes of us in 13/14 and then 14/15 to me. He's bought Daka, who is so different to Vardy. He's bought Soumare, who is so different to Tielemans. He seems to have this habit of having a very effective team, sometimes almost stumbling upon it, and yet when the time comes to replace he few players he has absolutely no idea how to do it. They should have been all over Danny Ings in the summer, and Ajer. They seem to have gone for Daka and Soumare purely because they were very highly rated and they could, without thinking for a minute how they'd fit in.

Leicester fans turn at the drop of a hat though, its their thing. There aren't many managers in the world who would have got them two top five finishes in a row and an FA Cup, and yet here they are hankering for Nigel Pearson to return.

[Sudden Death Draft Loser]

 a fair few seemingly convinced he's going to Utd in the Summer.

That would be fantastic

[RedG13]

As poor as Soyuncu has been, it's definitely an odd choice not to play natural centre halves and stick two midfielders in there - didn't pay much attention to us last season then did he?

Having a scan of Leicester forums, the fans have turned on him. Open discussion about who they want to replace him and a fair few seemingly convinced he's going to Utd in the Summer. They're very unhappy because apparently he keeps talking about Leicester 'needing a rebuild' which is somewhat odd given they've let him spend £60m on Strikers, they've retained Ndidi and Barnes, have Maddison who is talented (but not actually that good), and have spent heavily on full backs. Where's the rebuild needed other than defensive reinforcement? That's not a rebuild and Leicester fans seem to agree.

I think it has come to the point where the discussion is valid, albeit he has done a good job there overall. It's just when you look at the last calendar year, the FA Cup win is massive in making the time look a success, because their league form's been dreadful.

One another note, anyone else think Dewsbury-Hall has played very well against us in both games this season?

Dewsbury-Hall keep popping up in some spots. His underlying number dont look too bad either
https://fbref.com/en/players/5c74c0f5/Kiernan-Dewsbury-Hall

[Drinks Sangria]

Dewsbury-Hall keep popping up in some spots. His underlying number dont look too bad either
https://fbref.com/en/players/5c74c0f5/Kiernan-Dewsbury-Hall

This is kind of what I was getting at, he could be the effective utility midfielder who would be able to cover Trent's positioning, although I think he's left footed which would be an issue in that specific instance. Leicester would also want loads for him even though he was in the Championship last season and is likely only playing because of injuries. Good passing numbers, good defensive numbers, terrific pressing. There's a bit of a Klopp player in there.

Its got massive echoes of us in 13/14 and then 14/15 to me. He's bought Daka, who is so different to Vardy. He's bought Soumare, who is so different to Tielemans. He seems to have this habit of having a very effective team, sometimes almost stumbling upon it, and yet when the time comes to replace he few players he has absolutely no idea how to do it. They should have been all over Danny Ings in the summer, and Ajer. They seem to have gone for Daka and Soumare purely because they were very highly rated and they could, without thinking for a minute how they'd fit in.

Nail on the head. To be honest, I didn't really think of the age profile of the squad. But considering the extensive signings he has made, whilst I can understand what he's getting at, is 4 or 5 players for the squad really a rebuild considering the key personnel they do have? Like you say, whether it is or whether it isn't, to consistently trot the line out will frustrate fans and owners alike and makes you look a bit stupid.

Rodgers is what Rodgers has always been - a great attacking coach who struggles to organise a defence and can't scout a player for toffee.

[Gerry Attrick]

Whoever signed off on Vestergaard should be looking for a career change. My suspicion is Rodgers, seems like a player he'd buy.

[Drinks Sangria]

Whoever signed off on Vestergaard should be looking for a career change. My suspicion is Rodgers, seems like a player he'd buy.

I weirdly feel the same. He's always been domestic-centric with his targets and Vestergaard looks like a Rodgers buy to me, whereas Daka and Soumare feel like scouting purchases/ recommendations.

It does seem at Leicester he's under the structure he fought so much against at Liverpool.

[Gerry Attrick]

I weirdly feel the same. He's always been domestic-centric with his targets and Vestergaard looks like a Rodgers buy to me, whereas Daka and Soumare feel like scouting purchases/ recommendations.

It does seem at Leicester he's under the structure he fought so much against at Liverpool.

Tall, cloggy footballers seems to be something Rodgers is partial to from time to time.

[Simplexity]

This is the classic Rodgers meltdown that we also suffered under. He is now firmly in his "save his skin" phase where he will throw anything and anyone under the bus to keep himself in the job.

Still cannot believe he stabbed Colin Pascoe in the back, quite the sinister character.

[AndyMuller]

Think he will be gone at the end of the season.

[Charlie Adams fried egg]

This is kind of what I was getting at, he could be the effective utility midfielder who would be able to cover Trent's positioning, although I think he's left footed which would be an issue in that specific instance. Leicester would also want loads for him even though he was in the Championship last season and is likely only playing because of injuries. Good passing numbers, good defensive numbers, terrific pressing. There's a bit of a Klopp player in there.
Nail on the head. To be honest, I didn't really think of the age profile of the squad. But considering the extensive signings he has made, whilst I can understand what he's getting at, is 4 or 5 players for the squad really a rebuild considering the key personnel they do have? Like you say, whether it is or whether it isn't, to consistently trot the line out will frustrate fans and owners alike and makes you look a bit stupid.

Rodgers is what Rodgers has always been - a great attacking coach who struggles to organise a defence and can't scout a player for toffee.

I agree. He's 50 next year and if he hasn't found a way of dealing with those flaws by now, it's unlikely he ever will.
He's not a young manager any more, look at the ages some of the great mangers were when they started winning big prizes.

[RedG13]

This is kind of what I was getting at, he could be the effective utility midfielder who would be able to cover Trent's positioning, although I think he's left footed which would be an issue in that specific instance. Leicester would also want loads for him even though he was in the Championship last season and is likely only playing because of injuries. Good passing numbers, good defensive numbers, terrific pressing. There's a bit of a Klopp player in there.

Yea if they dont extend Keita I think Liverpool would look for more of passing then dribbling type or one that does both more then leaning more dribbling We Will see.
Jones, Elliott is two super talented young guys. Morton dont know overall long term but will have info from training to evaluate, looked good in games.

[Red Beret]

Rodgers is clearly an above average manager, especially when compared to the usual suspects: relegation specialist journeymen who loiter like vultures near the bottom of the table looking for easy pickings.

That said, he is not a great manager, and very far away from elite level. Reckon he's about Souness level, and I think has similar flaws.

I think he's probably peaked at this point. A good mid table manager who will dine out on a few bits of success for years, but lacking the nouse and pragmatism for a relegation fight. The kind of guy you replace with an Allardyce when things have gone tits up and you're fifth from bottom.

Not trying to be nasty, as I think he's currently still a very capable manager, but I think he'll slide after Leicester. He's not shown anything to suggest he's improved since his time with us, which is a crying shame as the PL needs more like him.

[Dim Glas]

I weirdly feel the same. He's always been domestic-centric with his targets and Vestergaard looks like a Rodgers buy to me, whereas Daka and Soumare feel like scouting purchases/ recommendations.

It does seem at Leicester he's under the structure he fought so much against at Liverpool.

Bertrand and Vestergaard where his too signings for sure, rather than those suggested by the club, he wanted them and got them.

How are they so awful as defending set-pieces, you’d think something would click with him, but they concede so many from corners.

Reckon the work they did between their FA cup loss vs Forest and last night was on how to con the referee by falling dramatically, with a well timed scream, at any opportunity. They did it 7 or 8 times to great effect.

[scatman]

Didn't he used to work under Jose? He's kinda falling the same amount of timespan per club as Jose anyway

[Gerry Attrick]

Good coach, maybe even a very good one. Poor manager.

[Lone Star Red]

Dewsbury Hall stood out the first time we played them this season, but I didn't think much of it and chalked it up to a one off performance. Impressed me again last night though, he looks like a tidy little player.

[Ghost Town]

I agree, although it could be his name that stands out. My wife was working on her computer last night so just listening not watching and she though Dewsbury Hall was a stately home near Huddersfield.

Are you sure she wasn't readng Nick's Twitter feed? 

[Kopenhagen]

Looks a dead man walking. Eerily similar to his last days here. Maybe not as toxic yet, but it's trending that way.

[Ravishing Rick Dude]

Good coach, maybe even a very good one. Poor manager.

Soon a brilliant pundit

[Red Cactii]

Whoever signed off on Vestergaard should be looking for a career change. My suspicion is Rodgers, seems like a player he'd buy.

Both Vestegaard and Bertrand were his choices, I mean they were Southampton players It’s clear as day he’s lost the dressing room and I’d be shocked if he makes it past Easter…

Andy Brassell pointed out that several big European clubs are eyeing off Fofana in the summer now that he’s proven himself in England and will push hard for him assuming he recovers fine from that injury. I imagine he won’t be the only one that’ll have offers to go somewhere more desirable; going to be an interesting summer for them.

[Caligula?]

Watching that took me back to the days of not being able to defend a corner to save our lives and signing useless shite like Vestegaard in defense. I see Rodgers has learned nothing and I'll be surprised if he stays beyond this season.

[elsewhere]

Soon a brilliant pundit

agreed, i'd love to see Gerry on MNF

[Dave McCoy]

Looks like Brendan's hand picked recruitment person, Lee Congerton, was forced out and he went to Atalanta. Not sure if it means anything as far as him managing but his influence on transfers you'd figure would be diminished.

[Fromola]

Looks like Brendan's hand picked recruitment person, Lee Congerton, was forced out and he went to Atalanta. Not sure if it means anything as far as him managing but his influence on transfers you'd figure would be diminished.

He's the fella Celtic fans were made up to get rid of. You can see why as they've done well since and Leicester have signed shite. Leicester were doing really well in the transfer market until Rodgers started demanding autonomy.

Letting Rodgers have anything to do with recruitment is always a mistake. And if he handpicks staff he appoints no marks or unqualified people. Behind the arrogance he's too insecure to appoint professionals who know what they're doing.

[Flaccido Dongingo]

Brendy seems to do well for a while, but the longer he's in a job the worse his team starts doing, it's baffling, he's got a decent squad, but the over reliance on Vardy who's now 35 (and increasingly injury prone) is starting to show.

[Persephone]

Brendy seems to do well for a while, but the longer he's in a job the worse his team starts doing, it's baffling, he's got a decent squad, but the over reliance on Vardy who's now 35 (and increasingly injury prone) is starting to show.

That's because he's a good coach who can get the best of players, however he can't recruit to save his life. His teams stagnate or get worse as he replaces players and inevitably his entire persona starts to wear thin on the players.

[Sheer Magnetism]

He's the fella Celtic fans were made up to get rid of. You can see why as they've done well since and Leicester have signed shite. Leicester were doing really well in the transfer market until Rodgers started demanding autonomy.

Letting Rodgers have anything to do with recruitment is always a mistake. And if he handpicks staff he appoints no marks or unqualified people. Behind the arrogance he's too insecure to appoint professionals who know what they're doing.

Congerton was appointed in May 2019 and since then they've signed Justin, Tielemans, Castagne and Fofana. Praet and Perez have been less successful, it's too early to tell with Daka and Soumare (though many neutrals seemed to think they were great buys in the summer). As far as I can see the signings were much the same as they've always been at Leicester: two-thirds good, one-third bad.

[ScouserAtHeart]

Congerton was appointed in May 2019 and since then they've signed Justin, Tielemans, Castagne and Fofana. Praet and Perez have been less successful, it's too early to tell with Daka and Soumare (though many neutrals seemed to think they were great buys in the summer). As far as I can see the signings were much the same as they've always been at Leicester: two-thirds good, one-third bad.

[El Lobo]

Congerton was appointed in May 2019 and since then they've signed Justin, Tielemans, Castagne and Fofana. Praet and Perez have been less successful, it's too early to tell with Daka and Soumare (though many neutrals seemed to think they were great buys in the summer). As far as I can see the signings were much the same as they've always been at Leicester: two-thirds good, one-third bad.

Pretty sure he's not 'demanded autonomy' either but I think in these situations you just have to bow to the undoubted inside knowledge Fromola has.

They are what they are, good team if they have a bit of luck with injuries. This season they absolutely haven't (not that its not funny, it absolutely is considering the shit they amongst others gave us last season when we 'only had Van Dijk out'). Pereira, Justin and Fofana have all signed new contracts in the last few weeks, which is good business.